Cognitive Theories of Consciousness

Document Type: 
Book Chapter
Article Type: 
Review
Disciplines: 
Psychology
Topics: 
Theory of Consciousness
Keywords: 
Global Workspace, Intermediate Level, Information Integration, Multiple Drafts, Apparent Mental Causation, Sensory Motor Theory, Radical Plasticity, Higher Order Bayesian Decision
Deposited by: 
Vincent de Gardelle
Contact email: 
vincent.gardelle@gmail.com
Date of Issue: 
2009
Authors: 
Vincent de Gardelle, Sid Kouider
Journal/Publication Title: 
Encyclopedia of Consciousness
Publisher: 
Elsevier
Official URL: 
http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/bookdescription.cws_home/716166/description
Alternative URL: 
http://www.lscp.net/persons/gardelle/papers/deGardelle&Kouider%20Cognitive%20theories%20of%20consciousness%20(Encyclopedia%20of%20consciousness).pdf
Publish status: 
Published
Abstract: 
In the present chapter, we first overview the precursors that allowed the development of cognitive theories of consciousness, and in particular we consider the notions of attention, working-memory, modularity and the distinction between automatic and controlled processes. Then we present a selection of influential contemporary accounts of consciousness, based on three themes: consciousness results from specific architectural elements within the cognitive system (the theories by Baars, Prinz, Tononi); some features of consciousness are in fact illusory (the theories by Dennett and Wegner); consciousness is about learning (the theories by O'Regan & Noë, Cleeremans, Lau). We conclude this chapter by considering that these cognitive theories have to set a bridge between the philosophical hard problem of consciousness, and neurobiological approaches.
AttachmentSize
deGardelle Kouider-Encyclopedia of consciousness-finaldraft.pdf199.51 KB